Residents appointed to help child abuse victims

Two Gaithersburg residents have been appointed for the Maryland CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Board of Directors. The Maryland CASA Association is a nonprofit organization whose mission is “to ensure the rights of all victims of child abuse and neglect grow up in safe, permanent homes.”

Lisa Lunghofer, a Kentlands resident with 21 years of experience in researching child welfare and children’s exposure to violence, has been re-elected for a third term as president of the organization.

“I look forward to working with our state director and my fellow board members to build on our success to date and continue to expand support for CASA programs statewide, providing even more children in need with advocates,” Lunghofer said.

Lunghofer has been on the Maryland CASA Board of Directors since 2008 and previously served as a CASA in Montgomery County.

Francha Davis, the Maryland CASA Board Secretary, previously worked for the CASA Association of Montgomery County for 23 years and has 13 years of experience as executive director there.

According to the organization, Davis was “a member of Montgomery County's Children's Action Team and the County’s Disproportionate Minority Contact Committee. Davis has also chaired the Montgomery County Juvenile Justice Commission and its Community and Legislative Relations Committee. The Gaithersburg resident previously chaired the Alfred D. Noyes Children’s Center Advisory Board and served on the Montgomery Community Television Board of Directors.”

“CASA programs continue to make a huge difference in the lives of so many children across the state. Maryland CASA’s support and leadership is critical to that success,” Davis said.